Gay Couple denied room

[FightingFat]

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/3854451.stm

A Highland guest house owner who refused a gay couple a double room because of their “perversion” has been stripped of his recommended status.

The move came after owner Tom Forrest branded the couple “sexual deviants”.

Mr Forrest said the “two gents”, Stephen Nock and his partner, from London, could only book a twin room.

Mr Nock, 34, and his partner of five years, were told they could not stay in a double room in a guest house because their relationship was “unnatural”.

The couple were hoping to stay at the guest house during a four-day walking holiday in the Highlands.

Mr Forrest offered to book the men into a twin room.

When Mr Nock threatened via e-mail to complain to the tourist authorities, Mr Forrest informed him: “We do not have a problem with your personal sexual deviation, that is up to you. You are welcome to our twin room if you wish, but we will not condone your perversion.”

Should Mr. Forrest have refused a doubleroom? Is it any of his business? Should he comprimise his beliefs or is he just a bigot?

 

[masondoggy]

I’m sure the ACLU is going to jump all over this one. But it’s not like they denied them a room completely. I think they were well within their rights to put them in a single room.

I’m sure it’ll turn into a mess. The gay community will make an example out of this.

 

[newsong]

I’m so proud of him for holding to his beliefs:thumbsup:

 

[kamz]

If its his guesthouse he has every right to deny room to whoever he wants, I think he was fair in offering them a twin room as he did try to compromise but they didn’t like it then thats their problem.

 

[Racer_X]

Wait. The problem is not that owner refused to let them both stay in the same room together, it is that he would not give them the kind of room they wanted? They wanted a double (presumably, a single large bed) and were offered a twin (two smaller beds?).
Am I reading this right? If so, good for the owner.

 

[perpetua]

Good for him! More people need to stand up for what is right… If we could afford it, I book his place for vacation next week…

 

[RichT]

masondoggy:

I’m sure the ACLU is going to jump all over this one. But it’s not like they denied them a room completely. I think they were well within their rights to put them in a single room.

I’m sure it’ll turn into a mess. The gay community will make an example out of this.

I don’t think the ACLU has any jurisdiction in the United Kingdom.

 

[Philip76]

Sounds like an episode of Fawlty Towers.

But I think the guest house owner could have been smarter and just told them his double rooms were all reserved. He didn’t have to say who they were reserved for - if pressed he could have said they were reserved for some other couples (regardless of whether those other couples had asked him to reserve them and whether or not he knew if anyone else would come looking for a room that night).

Having said that, he could still have given them the double room without any fear for his own soul - it’s up to them if they’re going to do things in that bed that they shouldn’t be doing. He can’t stop them so I see no guilt on his part. He couldn’t stop them if they were in a twin room either.

 

[Katia]

I’m so proud of him! Does anyone know the name of his place? We should stay there if we’re in the area next time we’re in Britain. It’s good to see someone standing up for morality. He’ll probably roast for it, though. You’re right; they’ll most likely make a “horrible example” out of him. A homeowner should be allowed to decide who can and who can’t stay in his home, without the state/law interfering. That should go for rentals, too. I always wondered how Christian B&B owners could handle that sort of situation. I doubt the law would be on their side these days.